Cover: Bringing music to Main Street — First-time festival highlights variety of country acts

Las Cruces' newly restored downtown will be the venue for the biggest music festival the community has ever hosted. The Las Cruces Country Music Festival, hosted by the Las Cruces Convention and Visitor's Bureau and produced by Helping Hands Event Planning, will be held on Main Street Downtown — with multiple country music-themed events occurring at other local spots — Friday through Sunday. The event kicks off Friday with a VIP reception that will be followed by a multi-band Main Street concert at 6 p.m. The main stage music continues Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. The performers are:

CHASE YAKLIN: Yaklin, 20, is the grandson of Jimmy Bryant, who was a member of Roy Orbison's groups, The Wink Westerners and The Teen Kings. Yaklin's uncles Jimmy Bryant Jr. and Jeff Bryant were founding members of The Lariat Band, which would go on to become Ricochet. Yaklin will take the stage around 6 p.m. Friday.

GREG BATES: Born and raised Nashville, Bates recently recorded his debut project, which includes the hit, "Did It for the Girl." Bates' current single, "Fill in the Blank," hit country radio in February and was the most added song during its release week. Bates will take the stage around 7 p.m. Friday.

LITTLE TEXAS: Little Texas was at its peak in 1994. The group was coming off a string of top 10 hits featured in the double platinum album "Big Time," had landed an ACM Award for "Vocal Group of the Year" and was headlining its first arena tour to promote its "Kick A Little" album.

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Four of the original members are still with the band. "Everybody still has a 'What Might Have Been,' there's always a 'First Time for Everything' and folks still want to 'Kick A Little," said bass player Duane Propes, referring to some of the group's most well-known songs. Little Texas will take the stage around 8 p.m. Friday.

BRI BAGWELL: Bagwell moved to Austin after graduating from Mayfield High School in 2005. She's become a presence on the Texas country scene and was recently named Texas Regional Radio Female Vocalist of the Year. Bri Bagwell and the Banned will take the stage around 6 p.m. Saturday.

CRAIG CAMPBELL: A product of Lyons, Ga., Campbell just released a new album, "Never Regret." He hopes to capitalize on the success of his first album, which spawned two hits — "Family Man," a top 15 hit and "Fish," which sold a quarter of a million downloads. Campbell will take the stage around 7 p.m. Saturday.
DARRYL WORLEY: Worley's has released nearly 20 hit singles, including three number ones — "I Miss My Friend," "Awful, Beautiful Life" and "Have You Forgotten," — as wellas chart-topping albums and he has recorded sales in the millions. Worley will take the stage around 8 p.m. Saturday.

THE ESSENTIALS

MAIN STAGE: The main stage will be set up just south of the intersection of Main Streeet and Griggs Avenue. There's VIP seating closest to the stage. There will also be first-come, first-served seating for about 1,500. The additional rows of chairs will be along Main, as well as in the open area on the northeast corner of Griggs and Main. There will also be bleacher seating on the Griggs, just west of Main. Guests should not bring their own lawn chairs. During each concert event, there will be food and western-wear vendors, a beer garden and merchandise tents. Las Cruces and Griggs avenue will be closed to through traffic and guests should enter through the La Placita or St. Genevieve gates, which open at 5 p.m.

SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP: Tommy Lee James, who wrote six number one country songs, and performer Chase Yaklin will conduct a Songwriters Workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rio Grande Theatre. Also Saturday, there will be a meet and greet with some of the festival's featured artists at 10 a.m. at the theater. Las Cruces a
COUNTRY BRUNCH: The festival will conclude with an event at the New Mexico Heritage Farm & Ranch Museum on Sunday, featuring a cowboy brunch, an unplugged concert with Chase Yaklin, Bri Bagwell and Darryl Worley, and a western fashion show.

TICKETS: VIP tickets are $150; a weekend pass is $50 in advance (good for both nights of concerts, the Songwriters Workshop and the Country Brunch); and tickets to either night of concerts is $20 in advance. For full ticket information, visit lccountryfest.com or call 575-522-1232 or 575-541-2150.

SEE MORE: Scan this code with your smartphone scanner app to see the festival guide.